MUSIC IN WORSHIP

We are growing in God's grace and in our musical abilities to express our thanks and praise!

We are sharing God's grace with our members and neighbors as we lovingly share our talents!

VOCAL MUSIC

Chancel Choir

Worship music creates space for all of us to encounter God. If you have a heart for worship and enjoy singing and fellowship, join the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church of Georgetown.

Imagine joining a welcoming community of singers who honor God by singing a wide range of beautiful music, from simple songs to challenging pieces. If you have a willing heart and can match pitches, you are invited to join us. You would be warmly welcomed into our fun, caring group.

Adults and high school students of all musical levels are invited to be part of our Chancel Choir. Led by Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts, rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm., and we keep it fun. We sing at the 8:30 am. and/or 11:00 am. worship services in the Sanctuary from September through June.

The Chancel Choir also presents larger works with instrumental accompaniment during the major occasions of the church season, including Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter.

If you have questions or you are interested in participating, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts at garth@fumcgt.org<mailto:garth@fumcgt.org> or (512) 863-2370, ext. 279.

Soloists and Small Ensembles

There are many ways to contribute musically to worship, and vocal soloists and small ensembles are welcome and encouraged at FUMC. The Chancel Choir and our Children and Youth choirs are the main source of our soloists, but membership in these groups is not required. All ages are welcome, children through adult. For more information or to schedule an appointment to meet and sing for him, please contactGarth Olson, Director of Worship Arts.

The Stirring

This contemporary praise band leads the 11am contemporary worship service in the McKinney Christian Ministry Center. If you enjoy singing contemporary music and feel at home in the contemporary service, this group's for you! The Stirring is supported by a group of volunteers on the sound boards. For more information or to join, please contact Yvonne Coon.

Rehearsals: Sundays 8:30am, McKinney Christian Ministry Center

Contemporary Music in the Sanctuary

If you enjoy singing (or playing) contemporary music but prefer the traditional Sanctuary services, there are possibilities that are open for contemporary or mixed worship in the "relaxed traditional" service that is offered in the Sanctuary each Sunday at 11am. For more information, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts.

Alleluia Singers

Children, 1st-4th grades, sing fun, age-appropriate songs centered on God's love for us. Alleluia Singers help lead worship in either the Sanctuary or the McKinney Christian Ministry Center (MCMC) once a month throughout the school year. FUMC members Kristi Bruton & Julie Cowley lead this group. For more information or to join, please contact Dotty Culig.

Rehearsals: Sundays 10:30 - 10:45 am, Atkins Learning Center Rm 125

Joyful Noise Musical Theatre Camp

Each summer, children who have completed 3rd-6th grade have the opportunity to spend a week learning an entire musical - helping make the props and sets, learning their lines, solos, choruses, and fun choreography. Then, they put it all together to help lead the members of our congregation in worship at the end of the week in the 11am Sunday worship in the McKinney Christian Ministry Center (MCMC). For more information, please contact Dotty Culig, Director of Children's Ministries.

HANDBELLS AND HANDCHIMES

What are Handbells? Handbells were created in England to provide a practice instrument for the carillons, also known as bell towers. t was impractical for the carillonneurs to spend their practice hours actually ringing the carillon in the unheated towers for everyone to hear, so they created miniature versions of the bells to be played by hand inside.

What kind of handbells do we play? We are fortunate to have a five-octave set of Schulmerich handbells, a four-octave set of Malmark handbells, and three octaves of handchimes. Our worship services are enhanced by the beauty of these unique and beautiful sounds.

Hallelujah Handbells

Handbell music offers a unique way to encounter God in worship. Playing handbells combines physical movement with musical expression, offering the handbell ringer a rich musical experience. If you enjoy fully engaging in music, come join the Hallelujah Handbells. We play contemporary hymn-tunes, classical as well as fresh and creative arrangements that use various handbell techniques. The ensemble plays once a month and at special times of the church season at our 8:30 am. and 11:00 am. worship services. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 5:45 pm. to 6:45 pm., and we have a lot of fun. Prior musical experience is not required. Adults and high school students are invited to join the Hallelujah Handbells. Join us for a fun musical experience that combines rhythm, coordination, and teamwork. Questions? Contact Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts at (512) 863-2370, ext. 279

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6-7pm, Choir Rm

Agape Ringers

Children, 3rd-6th grades and beginning adults help lead in 11am worship in either the Sanctuary or the McKinney Christian Ministry Center twice each semester. Membership is open to new ringers primarily in September each year, but all who are interested may express interest at any times and inquire about openings. For more information or to join, please contact Dotty Culig.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5:15-6pm, Fellowship Hall

New Handbell Groups

We anticipate the beginning of some new groups, as more children learn to ring bells through Academy Sunday School, as our Agape Ringers "age out" of this group, and as new adults express interest in joining by may not have the training to join the current adult groups. Opportunities also exist for small ensembles of more experienced ringers. For more information, please contactGarth Olson, Director of Worship Arts..

INSTRUMENTAL

All kinds of instruments help bring music to life! Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, and Percussion are all welcome in worship at FUMC! If you play an instrument and would like to be a part of an ensemble, play a descant above a choral anthem or congregational hymn, play a solo with piano/organ accompaniment, or “jam” with one of our contemporary groups, we would like to hear from you! We currently have two flutists, a violinist, and two cellists—as well as guitars and light percussion—for worship services in the sanctuary, but have openings for so many more! The more, the merrier!

Instrumental Ensembles

Instrument Ensembles add beauty and dimension to music. Woodwind, Brass, String and Percussion instruments are all welcome. Small ensembles and larger ensembles are currently being formed. For more information or to express interest, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts..

Rehearsals: Weekly at a time mutually agreeable to all members

Instrumental Soloists/Accompanists

Instrumentalists of all kinds are welcome at FUMC as soloists or accompanists (to anthems, hymns, praise songs). For more information or to express interest, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Worship Arts.

Pianists

Pianists are always welcome at FUMC. We have many worship services in need of piano accompaniment. These include, but are not limited to:

Worship services at Estrella Independent Living, the 2nd Sunday of each month, 6pm

This contemporary praise band leads the 11am worship service in the McKinney Christian Ministry Center. If you enjoy playing contemporary music (guitar, bass, drums, other percussion instruments, flute, saxophone, etc) and feel at home in the contemporary service, this group may be for you! In addition to musicians (singers and instrumentalists), The Stirring is supported by a group of volunteers on the sound boards. For more information or to join, please contact Yvonne Coon.